Car-coupling



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

R. L. & J. L. BIRD. GAR COUPLING.

No. 473,445. Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

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R. L. 81; J. L. BIRD.

GAR COUPLING. No. 473,446. Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT UFFIQE.

ROBERT L. BIRD AND JOHN L. BIRD, OF DURANGO, TEXAS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,445, dated April 26, 1892.

v Application filed October 22. 1891. Serial No. 409,507. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ROBERT L. BIRD and JOHN L. BIRD, citizens of the United States, residing atDuran go, in the county of Falls and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplings; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of carcouplings employing automatic coupling means; and it has for its object to provide a simple and improved device of this character which will insure positive automatic coupling when two opposite draw-heads come together.

A further object of the invention is to provide a car-coupling which will possess advantages in point of simplicity and inexpensiveness in construction, durability in operation, and general efficiency.

To this end the invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the car-coupling embodying our invention and illustrating one form of mechanism for uncoupling. Fig. 2 is asimilar view illustrating another form of uncoupling mechanism. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view illustrating two opposing couplings in coupled position. Fig. 4 is a bottom or inverted plan view. Fig. 5 is a front end elevation. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the draw-head and coupling-hook, the latter being removed from the former.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the' same letters of reference.

Referring to the drawings, A designates one end of a car, to which is applied our improved coupling B. The latter comprises a drawhead O, carried longitudinally at the under side ofthe car in any suitable manner. In order to render the draw-head yielding, a spring or yielding bar D may be employed, which is disposed transversely under the car and passes through an opening 0 in the rear end of the draw-head. In lieu of such construction, however, any suitable or preferred form of springs or cushions may be used to attain this end. The forward portion of the draw-head is provided with a longitudinallyarranged chamber E, open at its upper and front sides and closed at rearand lower sides. The lower side 6 of the chamber is contracted at its forward end and beveled from its upper face downwardly and outwardly, as shown at e. W Vithin this chamber E is disposed a coupling-hook F, consisting of a body'port-ion F, pivoted at its rear end to the side walls of the chamber by a pin or boltf and a double hook proper F at the forward end of the portion F. .The hook F is formed by providing the portion F with a transverse acute recess f f at its upper and lower sides near its outer end, forming rearwardlyprojecting shoulders. From the latter the extreme end is beveled convergently, terminating in an acute edge, as shown.

In order to insure positive coupling of the cars,we provide the means which will now be described. G designates a vertically dis posed bar provided at its lower end with an enlarged head g, forming shoulders g g. The head g is disposed in a longitudinal slot g provided in the top of the hook F and secured therein by a transverse pivot pin or bolt 9 From its pointof attachment with the hook F the bar G projects upwardly through an eye h inabracket or staple II, and has its upper end provided with an eye g, by means of which it is attached to the uncoupling mechanism. Upon the bar G, between the shoulders g and the bracket or staple H, is disposed a coil-spring I, said spring exerting its tension to keep the coupling-hook F depressed.

For uncoupling any approved appliances may be employed. In Figs. 1 and 2 we have illustrated two devices by which this operation can be effected. The construction shown in Fig. 1 comprises a horizontally-disposed bar J, journaled in bearings j j, provided upon the top or end of the car, said bar being connected about centrally with the eye in the bar G by a chain or cord K. For operating the bar J the same is provided at either side of the chain or cord with aleverL L, project'- ng at rlght angles to the bar, and the latter 1s also bent at one end to form a third lever IOO L. The construction comprised in Fig. 2 consists of a standard M, bifurcated at its upper end, and within said bifurcated end is pivoted a lever N. The latter is connected at one end with the bar G by alink n or other suitable devices.

The operation and advantages of our invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. As two opposing draw-heads come together one of the coupling-hooks slides upon the other, yielding against the tension of its spring I, the under hook bearing upon the lower wall of its chamber and thereby held against depression. WVhen the opposing shoulders of the two hooks pass each other, the upper hook is forced downwardly by its spring and into engagement with the under hook and the coupling of the cars thus effected. The outer end of the under hook passes up the beveled or inclined front end e of the opposing drawhead andwhen the hooks are in coupled position projects slightly within the chamber of said draw-head and is supported therein. To free the hooks, the uncoupling mechanism is operated to elevate the bar G of the upper hook, the latter being raised thereby from engagement with the opposing hook. By providing the springs I the hooks are at all times pressed downwardly, thereby insuring positive coupling of the cars and the uncertainty of gravity-hooks thus entirely obviated.

We claim as our invention 1. In a car-coupling, the combination, with a draw-head provided with a chamber at its forward end, of a double coupling-hook pivoted therein, said hook being provided in its upper side with a vertical recess, a vertical bar provided with a head pivotally secured in said recess, a guide-bracket receiving said bar, and a coil-spring embracing the bar between the pivoted head thereof and the guidebracket, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a car-coupling, the combination, with a draw-head provided with a chamber closed at its under side, of a coupling-hook comprising a body normally resting upon the bottom of the chamber and a double hook-head, said coupling-hook being provided in its top surface with a recess, a vertical bar provided with a head pivotally secured in said recess, a guide-bracket receiving said bar, a coilspring encircling the latter between its head and the bracket, and means for elevatingthe hook and connected with the bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a car-coupling, the combination, with a car, of a yielding draw-head and a trans-- versely-arranged spring-bar secured to the draw-head at its rear end, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we aifix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. BIRD. JOHN L. BIRD.

Witnesses:

O. C. HAWKINS, R. H. JONES,'J1. 

